Dallas College has a strong internal admissions and enrollment team; one capable of managing high-volume processes and supporting thousands of students each term. But like many institutions, once a student stalled outside the main workflow, the challenge became clear: who follows up, who helps them finish, and who has the bandwidth to do it consistently?

This gap between initial intent and completed enrollment wasn’t about lack of interest or student concern. More often, students need clarity, reassurance, or a reminder that someone was there to help them move forward – and staff availability.

Closing the Gaps with Outreach That Moves Students Forward

More than 9,200 students had already taken meaningful steps toward enrolling for the summer term. Many were one simple action away, like submitting a document, confirming a step, or reconnecting with support. Without intervention, thousands risked stopping out.

Enrollment Ready Outreach provided Dallas College with the bandwidth and intentional persistence required to reconnect with these students. Through repeated outreach attempts, including live phone calls, voice mails, and personalized messaging, students received clear guidance tailored to where they were in the process. Instead of automated notices, students experienced real conversations with someone who could guide them in the right direction to remove barriers standing in their way.

This approach didn’t just encourage progress, it removed uncertainty. Each interaction provided a next step, captured the student’s response (yes, no, not now and why), and helped Dallas College understand patterns behind disengagement so future outreach could be even more targeted.

Real Movement and Meaningful Return

The impact was immediate and measurable. Of the 9,207 students contacted, 5,011 completed enrollment for a 54.4% return driven by consistent touchpoints, human understanding, and a process built around the student experience.

“ Our students weren’t lacking interest—they were lacking support at the right moments. Enrollment Ready Outreach not only helped them move forward, it helped us understand their barriers and refine our approach for the future.”

– Chad Decker, Dean of Student Outreach and Enrollment, Dallas College

With Enrollment Ready Outreach, you don’t have to choose between high volume and high-touch support. We’ll supplement your team, provide consistent follow-up, and help more students complete the process. Connect with your Inceptia representative or visit enrollmentready.org to explore what the right outreach strategy could look like for your campus.

Dallas College is one of the largest community colleges in Texas, serving a diverse population of primarily first-generation, adult, and part-time learners across multiple campuses in Dallas County. With more than 90,000 students annually, the college is committed to ensuring equitable access and support throughout the enrollment journey.

New cooperative purchasing agreement helps institutions more quickly implement solutions that support enrollment, financial aid administration, student engagement and financial wellness.

Lincoln, Neb. (June 9, 2026) Inceptia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students and institutions succeed, announced that its solutions are now available through E&I Cooperative Services, making it easier for colleges and universities to access proven services that support student success while reducing procurement complexity.

Higher education institutions continue to face increasing pressure to improve enrollment, persistence, completion and financial wellness outcomes while navigating staffing constraints, evolving regulations and changing student needs. Through its relationship with E&I Cooperative Services, Inceptia is helping institutions more quickly implement solutions designed to support students throughout their educational journey while improving operational efficiency.

"For nearly 40 years, Inceptia has been committed to helping institutions support student success while navigating operational challenges," said David Macoubrie, president and CEO of Inceptia. "Our relationship with E&I helps make those solutions more accessible so institutions can focus less on procurement hurdles and more on serving students."

"Higher education institutions are seeking partners that can help them navigate evolving student and operational challenges while making the most of limited resources," said Eric Frank, CEO of E&I Cooperative Services. "Through this agreement with Inceptia, we’re expanding access to proven, student-centered solutions while removing barriers to adoption – so our members can move faster on key student success initiatives."

Inceptia's solutions help institutions engage students at critical moments throughout the student lifecycle, from enrollment and financial aid administration to financial wellness and student loan repayment. By combining personalized outreach, technology and experienced support, Inceptia helps institutions strengthen student engagement, streamline processes and reduce administrative burden.

Solutions available through E&I include:

• Enrollment support and student outreach services designed to help institutions engage prospective, returning and stop-out students.
• Financial aid verification and compliance solutions that simplify documentation collection, review and identity verification processes.
• Institutional balance outreach services that help students understand and resolve financial barriers that may impact persistence and re-enrollment.
• Repayment and financial wellness solutions that support borrowers as they navigate student loan repayment responsibilities.

"Student and operational success are interconnected," said Macoubrie. "When institutions can communicate more effectively, streamline administrative processes and provide right-time targeted support, students benefit, and staff can focus their efforts where they matter most."

E&I Cooperative Services is the only member-owned, nonprofit sourcing cooperative focused exclusively on education. Through competitively solicited contracts, E&I helps educational institutions streamline the procurement process while maintaining compliance and maximizing value.

To learn more about Inceptia's solutions available through E&I Cooperative Services, visit our solutions microsite or contact us Talktous@Inceptia.org.

About Inceptia

Inceptia is a nonprofit organization committed to helping students and institutions for nearly 40 years. Inceptia has provided higher education with solutions that simplify financial aid processes, improve student engagement, support enrollment efforts and promote financial wellness. Through a combination of technology, outreach and counseling, Inceptia helps institutions strengthen student success while reducing administrative burden. Visit inceptia.org.

About E&I Cooperative Services

E&I Cooperative Services (E&I) is the only member owned, non profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving higher education and K 12 institutions. E&I delivers unsurpassed value and an exceptional experience to its members through a broad portfolio of competitively solicited contracts with industry leading suppliers and innovative sourcing solutions. The Cooperative empowers its members to make informed, analytics driven decisions to capture more spending and optimize their education dollars. Rooted in a strong, member-driven community, E&I fosters collaboration, shared expertise, and collective impact across the education sector, helping institutions advance their missions through cooperative purchasing. For more information, visit eandi.org.

Lincoln, Neb., May 12, 2026 — Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) helped more than 1,100 students overcome financial barriers caused by past-due balances, enabling them to stay enrolled and continue making progress toward completing their education with the assistance of Inceptia’s Institutional Balance Outreach program.

WSU Tech recognized that unpaid student balances, even when relatively small, become obstacles to persistence and re-enrollment. Students with unresolved balances may face challenges registering for future classes, accessing transcripts, or continuing their academic progress. At the same time, providing meaningful outreach to hundreds of students can place a significant burden on institutional staff.

Even when students begin the process, many never make it to enrollment. And the breakdown isn’t happening in one place, it’s happening across the entire student journey. The FAFSA funnel is still leaking — just in new places, with students falling off at every stage from completion to enrollment.

“Every student we help stay enrolled is one more individual moving toward a career, contributing to our workforce and making a better life for their families. This work is about meeting students where they are, helping them understand their options, and removing barriers so they can stay on track, complete their education, and keep moving forward,” said Lacey Ledwich, FAAC, Executive Director, Student Financial Services, WSU Tech.

To address both challenges, WSU Tech implemented Institutional Balance Outreach (IBO), Inceptia’s student-centered outreach solution designed to provide compassionate, personalized support and clear guidance to more than 1,800 students with outstanding balances. As a result, 1,179 student accounts were resolved, helping create a clearer path to continued enrollment.

By removing financial barriers that can disrupt persistence, the initiative helped more students remain enrolled and delivered measurable financial results for WSU Tech, while also reducing operation burden for campus staff. Instead of managing thousands of individual outreach attempts internally, WSU Tech was able to rely on Inceptia’s team to handle student conversations efficiently and compassionately, allowing staff to focus on broader institutional priorities.

“Our goal is always to help institutions support students while improving operational efficiency,” comments Deana Unger, Chief Operating Officer, Inceptia. “When students understand their options, feel supported, and have a clear path forward, everyone benefits.”

Visit Inceptia.org to read the full case study and find out more about Institutional Balance Outreach.

As Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, WSU Tech stands at the forefront of modern technical education in Kansas, offering over 100 degree and certificate options. These programs cover critical fields such as aviation, health care, manufacturing, design, information technology, police science, culinary arts, business, and more. WSU Tech operates four campuses and serves as the managing partner of the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) in Wichita, KS, a city known for its high concentration of STEM jobs.

In 2018, Wichita State University, Kansas’ urban public research university, affiliated with WSU Tech, enhancing the institution’s student-centered focus and aligning with Wichita State’s dedication to innovation and applied learning. This partnership has created a comprehensive educational environment that supports student achievement and meets the evolving needs of industries in the urban heart of Kansas and beyond.

Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and as a Kansas Board of Regents institution, WSU Tech upholds high academic standards and equips students with the skills necessary for lifelong success and career readiness.

For more information on how WSU Tech shapes the future of technical education and contributes to the workforce in Kansas and beyond, please visit www.WSUTECH.edu.

Follow WSU Tech on social media: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | X (Twitter) | TikTok

Lincoln, Neb. (April 21, 2026) – As graduates step into a world of first paychecks, student loan decisions, and real-world financial responsibilities, Inceptia, a nonprofit dedicated to student success, has released the latest edition of its Great Advice series — created in collaboration with NerdWallet — to help them move forward with clarity and confidence.

Great Advice for Grads 2026 delivers practical, real-world guidance for managing money after graduation — without the overwhelm. Designed to be both approachable and actionable, the guide equips students with tools to make informed financial decisions from day one.

This year’s edition includes:

• Strategies to pay down student loans faster and reduce long-term interest
• Simple budgeting frameworks that balance real life with financial goals
• Clear guidance on building and improving credit
• Insights on using AI for financial decisions, when it helps and when to think twice

“Graduation is an exciting milestone, but it also introduces a new level of financial responsibility that many students aren’t fully prepared for,” said Michelle Lisec-Talarico, Director of Marketing at Inceptia. “This guide is designed to meet graduates in that moment — with practical guidance they can actually use and return to as their financial journey evolves.”

Developed in partnership with NerdWallet, a trusted source for personal finance insights, the guide combines expert-backed strategies with approachable education — making it easier for graduates to take their next steps with confidence.

Colleges and universities are encouraged to share Great Advice for Grads 2026 with their students and alumni as a timely resource to support financial wellness beyond graduation.

Inceptia enables colleges and universities to strengthen relationships and boost enrollment using dynamic tools and personal outreach programs that empower students to successfully navigate admissions and financial aid. With tailored solutions and a nonprofit’s commitment to service, we remove barriers for students so schools can focus on what matters most — guiding them toward a rich and rewarding life through higher education.

NerdWallet (Nasdaq: NRDS) is on a mission to provide clarity for all of life’s financial decisions. As a personal finance website and app, NerdWallet provides consumers with trustworthy and knowledgeable financial information so they can make smart money moves. From finding the best credit card to buying a house, NerdWallet is there to help consumers make financial decisions with confidence. Consumers have free access to our expert content and comparison shopping marketplaces, plus a data-driven app, which helps them stay on top of their finances and save time and money, giving them the freedom to do more. NerdWallet is available for consumers in the U.S., UK, Canada and Australia.

For years, the focus has been simple: Are students completing the FAFSA?

But today, that question falls short.

Even when students begin the process, many never make it to enrollment. And the breakdown isn’t happening in one place, it’s happening across the entire student journey. The FAFSA funnel is still leaking — just in new places, with students falling off at every stage from completion to enrollment.

FAFSA completion remains one of the biggest obstacles to college access.

About 50%¹ of high school seniors complete the FAFSA — meaning millions of students never even enter the financial aid pipeline. For many, especially first-generation and low-income students, this isn’t about choice. It’s about access, clarity and support.

Students aren’t opting out. They’re falling through the cracks early.

“My parents had never done this before, and honestly, neither had I. Having someone reach out and explain the next steps gave me the confidence to keep going.”

Even when aid is available, it often goes unused. An estimated $4 billion in federal grants is left unclaimed² each year, largely because students don’t complete the FAFSA or fail to take the next step.

That’s more than lost funding. It’s lost opportunity for students and institutions alike.

Submitting the FAFSA doesn’t guarantee completion. Verification requirements, documentation challenges and unclear communication can slow or stop students altogether. At the moment they need clarity most, many encounter friction instead.

Without timely, guided support, momentum fades quickly.

“I almost gave up because I thought I had missed something and didn’t know who to ask. When someone actually called and walked me through it, everything changed. It made me feel like someone wanted me there.”

Even students who do everything “right” don’t always enroll.

About 1 in 4³ college-intending students don’t enroll in the fall — with rates climbing as high as 40% for some populations. They are applying, being accepted, often completing the FAFSA… and still not showing up. Financial uncertainty, unanswered questions and competing priorities create gaps between intention and action.

“I had been accepted, but I was overwhelmed and started putting everything off. That follow-up call reminded me I was closer than I thought.”

More than a Pipeline Problem

Taken together, these gaps point to something bigger. This isn’t a single breakdown — it’s disconnection at every stage.

Students:

• Don’t know how to start
• Aren’t sure what comes next
• Miss timely, relevant follow-up
• Lose momentum along the way

The challenge isn’t just process. It’s connection.

If the breakdown spans the full student journey, the response should too.

Institutions are shifting toward coordinated, student-centered engagement that supports students from FAFSA completion through enrollment ensuring they don’t just start the process but successfully move through it.

That includes:

• Early, proactive outreach that encourages FAFSA completion
• Clear, simplified guidance to navigate next steps like verification
• Timely, personalized communication that keeps students informed
• Ongoing engagement that maintains momentum through enrollment

Rather than addressing a single point in the funnel, this approach supports students across the journey reducing friction, closing communication gaps and helping more students move from intent to enrollment.

Inceptia’s FAFSA Completion Outreach supports this approach by combining targeted communication with hands-on guidance helping students complete the FAFSA, navigate follow-up requirements and stay engaged through the path to enrollment.

The FAFSA remains a critical gateway to higher education, but completion alone isn’t enough.

Students aren’t disappearing. They’re disengaging.

Institutions that prioritize connection at every stage will be better equipped to turn intent into enrollment and enrollment into long-term success.

^{1: National College Attainment Network (NCAN), FAFSA Completion Data}

^{2: EducationData.org, Federal Aid Statistics}

^{3: National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), Summer Melt Studies}

Higher education leaders are navigating a shifting landscape.

Today’s priorities extend beyond enrollment growth to include credential completion, workforce alignment, adult learner re-engagement, and return on investment. States and systems are increasingly measuring institutional success by how effectively colleges move students already in the pipeline toward meaningful credentials.

Yet many institutions face a common challenge: students who have demonstrated intent stall before completion.

• They apply.
• They’re admitted.
• They may even begin financial aid.
• Then progress slows.

When this happens, institutions lose more than tuition revenue. They lose momentum toward completion goals, workforce readiness, and long-term economic impact.

Enrollment Ready Outreach as Student Progression Infrastructure

Enrollment Ready Outreach is not recruitment. It is institutional infrastructure designed to convert existing student intent into credential progress by re-engaging admitted, stopped-out, and near-completer learners already in the system.

Through right-time, knowledgeable engagement, institutions:

• Reconnect with students at critical decision points
• Remove barriers related to financial aid and enrollment complexity
• Extend internal capacity during peak demand
• Gain visibility into why students stall and where additional support is needed

The result is measurable movement — from intent to enrollment, from enrollment to persistence, and from persistence to completion.

What Institutions Are Seeing

Across documented outreach campaigns, institutions report consistent outcomes:

• Enrollment return rates commonly in the high-20% to mid-30% range, with some exceeding 50%
• Strong student engagement through email and live outreach
• Hundreds of thousands of dollars in incremental tuition revenue
• Documented returns exceeding 500% in some cases

These results demonstrate a repeatable model for advancing student progress without increasing admissions spend.

Advancing Workforce and Attainment Goals

By focusing on students who have already entered the institutional pipeline, Enrollment Ready Outreach supports priorities that matter most to leadership today:

• Increasing credential production
• Re-engaging adult learners and stop-out populations
• Improving return on public investment
• Strengthening alignment between education and workforce demand

Rather than chasing new enrollment, institutions can maximize existing intent — accelerating progress toward completion while supporting economic mobility.

From Enrollment Activity to Institutional Impact

Enrollment Ready Outreach bridges the gap between interest and action. It helps institutions move students forward, strengthen completion outcomes, and deliver measurable ROI while supporting workforce readiness and long-term institutional sustainability.

Click here to read more about Enrollment Ready Outreach.